Dungeons & Dragons will return to its Dark Sun setting in 2027, introducing its first mature-rated sourcebooks.
Wizards of the Coast has confirmed the return of the Dark Sun setting to Dungeons & Dragons, slated for 2027 as part of its "Season of Survival." This reintroduction will notably feature the game's first-ever sourcebooks to carry a Mature Content warning, acknowledging the setting's inherently brutal and unforgiving nature. This marks a significant shift for the long-running fantasy role-playing game.
The return to Dark Sun, last seen in 2010, follows years of speculation, particularly after playtest materials for a new Psion class emerged in 2025. Many believed the setting, known for its harsh, apocalyptic world, would not align with modern D&D's increased sensitivity around potentially challenging subject matter. However, the 2027 release embraces this brutality, leading to the unprecedented content rating.
The "Season of Survival" will launch with two primary sourcebooks. Dark Sun: Edge of Oblivion will serve as a setting expansion, reintroducing the world of Athas to D&D 5e and providing essential information for Dungeon Masters and players. Accompanying this is Dark Sun: Blood and Power, a gameplay expansion featuring a new adventure where players confront tyrannical sorcerer kings in a world beyond salvation.
Further details confirm the return of the Psion class as part of the "Season of Survival." The new materials are also expected to explore various facets of apocalyptic storytelling, akin to the thematic explorations seen in Ravenloft: The Horrors Within. Beyond the core sourcebooks, the release will include a limited-edition Player's Handbook with Athas-inspired cover art, a new Map Pack, and a DM screen.
While exact release dates remain unconfirmed, the "Season of Survival" is scheduled to run from February to June 2027, suggesting a likely February launch for these new Dark Sun materials. This suite of products represents the first major D&D release for 2027, preceding other confirmed content such as the "Arcana Unleashed" slate and a World of Warcraft collaboration.
